Case report and brief commentary: Wuchereria bancrofti and Onchocerca volvulus co-infection in a refugee from Sierra Leone

Ann Clin Lab Sci. 2005 Spring;35(2):199-201.

Abstract

Filarial infection is endemic in the tropics and is a public health problem in Africa, Asia, South and Central America, and the Pacific Islands. Co-infection with filarial nematodes, if unrecognized, can result in untoward therapeutic consequences. We report a case of co-infection of Wuchereria bancrofti and Onchocerca volvulus that was diagnosed by direct blood smear (W. bancrofti ) and serology (O. volvulus) in a native of Sierra Leone. We comment briefly on the therapeutic implications of the co-infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Helminth / blood
  • Filariasis / complications*
  • Filariasis / diagnosis
  • Filariasis / parasitology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Onchocerca volvulus*
  • Onchocerciasis / complications*
  • Onchocerciasis / diagnosis
  • Onchocerciasis / parasitology
  • Refugees
  • Sierra Leone / ethnology
  • United States
  • Wuchereria*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Helminth